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Study Abroad at Victoria University of Wellington

About Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand

Required GPA: 2.7 (4.0 scale)
Application deadlines: November 1 for semester 1 (Feb-June) and Calendar year
April 1 for semester 2 (July-Nov) and Academic year (July-June)
Program advisor: Chris Dixon

Program Snapshot

Kia ora! We're so excited that you're preparing to study abroad on an IFSA-Butler program and have chosen Victoria University of Wellington (VUW or Vic) as your destination. We're sure you're going to love studying there!

There are just a few specific forms that you'll need to complete before your application can be submitted to VIC for an admissions decision. The forms can be found under the Forms tab.

What Victoria University of Wellington has to offer

A compact, cosmopolitan and vibrant academic setting
Facilities on campus include: A marae, library, cafes, bank, computer shop, recreation and cultural facilities, health services and many other student support services
An opportunity to participate in the Victoria International Leadership Program (VILP), an academically-oriented extracurricular program
VILP is focused on themes of international leadership, cross-cultural communication, global connectedness and sustainability and is the first program of its kind in New Zealand
An active students union and more than 90 cultural, social and athletic clubs to choose from
Access to New Zealand's political and cultural center

Housing

Housing is with New Zealand students and other international students in furnished apartments or halls of residence
All housing is within walking distance to the main campus and city center or close to public transportation
Housing is self-catered and includes kitchens where students can prepare their own meals

Academics

Academic Structure

Victoria University of Wellington is a semester or yearlong study abroad program. Students take 3 or 4 classes each semester, depending on the credits awarded.

Program Courses

Where can I find a list of courses that the university offers?

Open the Victoria University of Wellington online course catalog.
In the middle of the page, click the orange "Online Course Catalog" link

What departments can I study in?

As an IFSA-Butler student, you are entitled to enroll in undergraduate courses for which you are qualified and in which space is available. Course descriptions in the online course catalog include prerequisites you must fulfill in order to enroll in each course.

For each course that you list on your preference form, be sure to check the following:

When determining which courses to take, please bear in mind that the New Zealand academic system is an intensive, three-year program.
- First-year (100-level) courses are appropriate for departments in which you have little or no prior experience.
- Second-year (200-level) courses will be equivalent to advanced sophomore or junior-level U.S. courses.
- Third-year (300-level) courses will be equivalent to senior-level U.S. courses.
- Fourth-year (400-level) courses and higher are part of a postgraduate degree (Masters or Ph.D.). You are not eligible to take these courses as an undergraduate study abroad student.
- Portfolios or audition tapes are required for acceptance into architecture, design, music composition and music performance courses.
- Some CREW and THEA classes are limited entry and require an additional application and samples of previous work. Contact your program advisor for the applications for these classes.
- Study abroad students are not permitted to take practical education courses.
- Most LAWS classes are not open to study abroad students. Check the VUW course catalogue for details
You can only take yearlong courses if you plan to study abroad for the calendar year (semesters 1 and 2, in that order).
Remember in New Zealand, U.S. fall semester = semester 2 and U.S. spring semester = semester 1. Be sure to select courses for the correct semester you are studying abroad.

Courses

You must take a full course load as determined by IFSA-Butler. Credit will be awarded on a Butler University transcript based on a typical U.S. full course load. All courses are graded on an A–F scale, and there is no provision for pass/fail or auditing courses. You are not allowed to register for online, distance education or hybrid courses.

You should also be aware that you may be charged additional fees by your home institution or host university to take or process additional credits. Taking less than a full course load may jeopardize your student status and result in personal academic repercussions and/or loss of financial aid.

Credits

IFSA-Butler requires students to enroll in a full course load at the host institution. The number of courses you take depends on the credit value of the courses you select. For information on the credit weight, please consult see below.

15 Points at VIC = 4 U.S. semester credit hours
20 Points at VIC = 5 U.S. semester credit hours

Exams

Because of the differences in the academic systems, you will not know your exam schedule until after you arrive at your host university. Your host university's policies do not permit you to reschedule any exams, request alternate assessments or arrange to have your exams proctored in the United States. If this occurs, IFSA-Butler cannot assist you in conducting an academic record query for the course in which you made this arrangement. You will need to complete and submit all academic work prior to departing the program.

Transcripts

After you have returned to the U.S., your home university will receive a Butler University transcript with the credit and grades you earned at Victoria University of Wellington. The Butler University transcript will report the equivalent U.S. semester credit hours and letter grades. We also will send an official transcript to your permanent address.

Housing

Housing Options

What are my housing options?
The following housing options are available during your semester or year abroad.

Self-catered apartments
- University Hall - 202 coed students in freestanding flats with 4-6 residents; one bathroom per flat
- Stafford House - 301 coed students in three- and four-bedroom flats; one bathroom per flat; visitors must be be signed in and out by resident, visitors are not permitted past 10 p.m.

Meals

University Hall and Stafford House do not include a meal plan; these options are self-catered.

Housing FAQs

When will I receive my housing assignment?
You will most likely receive your housing assignment one to two weeks before your departure. However, in some cases you may not receive your housing assignment until you arrive in New Zealand for orientation. Your program advisor will notify you of your housing assignment via e-mail when it is released by the university.

Please keep in mind that while IFSA-Butler guarantees housing, we cannot guarantee your preferences.

Do I have to pay a housing deposit?
Yes. IFSA-Butler requires a refundable housing deposit of $300 before going abroad. We will return this deposit to you after March 1 for fall programs or September 1 for spring and year programs, less any fines, damages or outstanding debts in your name.

Can I arrange my own housing?
Yes. IFSA-Butler recognizes that some students require independent housing for their time abroad. If you choose not to take advantage of our guaranteed housing, you may sign up for independent housing on the housing preference form. Once you've made this choice, we will not provide housing for you or bill you for the accommodation fee.

Please be advised that housing costs can be high abroad, and many times students living independently end up spending more money than students living in IFSA-Butler arranged housing. If you are hoping to save money by arranging housing on your own, please research your options early so you can compare costs. You must notify us of your intention to live in independent housing by December 1 for spring and semester 1 programs or by May 1 for fall and semester 2 programs. We are not able to accommodate independent housing requests after these dates.

Location Info

Population: 400,000

Location: North Island

City features

New Zealand's political, cultural and creative capital city
A vibrant, cosmopolitan, compact city offering a temperate climate and beautiful natural scenery with the harbor and surrounding bush
Offers tons of big-city attractions, including the national museum Te Papa Tongarewa, International Festival of the Arts and a variety of international and local sporting events throughout the year

Do more!

Watch world-class rugby, soccer and cricket at the Westpac Stadium
Take advantage of the region's many recreational and sporting activities, including surfing, kayaking, mountain biking, bushwalking and fishing
Head north to the mud pools, geysers and hot springs at Rotorua or the mountain range at Tongariro National Park and Lake Taupo
Take the Cook Strait Ferry from Wellington to the South Island and visit the Marlborough vineyards and Abel Tasman National Park's beautiful beaches and outdoor activities

Links
Welcome to Wellington Regional Tourism Map

Wellington Tourism
Wellington News
Pure New Zealand

Dates & Fees

Program Dates

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* All students must arrive in Auckland by this date.

Your program end date may change due to circumstances beyond IFSA-Butler's control. Upon arrival at your host university, be sure to verify your exam schedule and program end date. We also strongly recommend that you investigate fees and penalties associated with your airline tickets in case you need to make date or route changes.

Exams must be taken where and when scheduled. Under no circumstances may students request that an exam time be changed. In New Zealand exams are taken under formal examination conditions, and changes cannot be made for individuals.

All program support services end on the “Program ends” date.

Program Fees

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What's included in our New Zealand program fees
Expense calculator

Calendar Year and Semester 1 Payments Due: December 15
Academic Year and Semester 2 Payments Due: May 15

Program Fee Bills
IFSA-Butler will send a single bill for the entire program fee, which includes tuition, services and housing. Students who opt for independent housing will not be charged the housing component of the program fee.

Housing
The housing component of our program fee is based on the average cost of local student self-catering accommodation, usually a shared room in a regular dormitory, apartment or house without any extra features.

† Housing Deposit
This program requires a housing deposit of $300. This payment is in addition to the program fee but is due on the same date. The deposit is held separately from the program fee and should be paid separately. The deposit is refunded to the student after the program, less any damages, fines or outstanding debts in the student’s name.

Personal Cost Estimates

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Expense calculator

These figures are designed to assist students with financial planning but are only estimates based on past students’ experiences at the current exchange rate. They do not include any entertainment or vacation travel costs.

The above numbers are general estimates of expenses during a program abroad. We recommend taking into account your current spending habits, the cost of living in your host country and the current exchange rate. Your IFSA-Butler program advisor can be helpful as you attempt to work on a personal budget for your experience abroad.

Personal Miscellaneous: Covers general expenses of college life, including course supplies, photocopying, toiletries, snacks, personal care, etc.

All costs are in U.S. dollars.

Forms

Applicants to the program at Victoria University of Wellington must complete two additional forms. Please download, print and complete the following:

We must receive these forms before we can send your application to Victoria University for an admissions decision. They can be sent to IFSA-Butler via email, fax or regular mail. Please submit these forms with the remainder of your program application.

If you have already started an application to the Victoria University program, you can check the status of your application using the student portal.

Meet Your IFSA-Butler Team

IFSA-Butler has a dedicated team of staff who are here to help students prepare for their program in New Zealand:

Program Advisor Chris Dixon assists with the application process and is here to answer program, cultural and academic questions before departure. Chris can be reached at the email link above or at 800-858-0229, extn. 4266. Chris has been with the Institute for Study Abroad for the past 3 years. After studying abroad himself several times as an undergraduate, Chris earned a bachelor's degree in International Relations and came to work for IFSA-Butler. He currently acts as a program advisor for English-speaking programs and focuses on advising students studying in the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia.

becki Student Accounts Coordinator Becki Niccum assists with the financial side of study abroad and processes payments and invoices. Becki can be reached at the email link above or at 317-940-3077.

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Student & Parent Services Manager Donnetta Spears is available to both students and parents for travel questions and information. Donnetta has worked with IFSA-Butler for 11 years, and she has traveled through parts of Europe, Latin America, Australia and New Zealand. As the mother of 4 college students (including one who studied abroad on an IFSA-Butler program), she has a deep understanding of the ins-and-outs of study abroad from a parent perspective. Donnetta can be reached at the email link above or at 317-940-4252.

Once abroad, our students are in the capable hands of our New Zealand staff, including Resident Director Amy Rutherford. Click here to read more about Amy.

sara Upon return from your study abroad program, Academic Affairs Coordinator Sara Bell processes your Butler University transcript and assists with any academic record queries. Sara can be reached at the email link above or at 800-858-0229 ext. 4261.

Get Connected

Social Media

Connect with IFSA-Butler Students

If you really want to know what it's like to study abroad, connect with IFSA-Butler alumni and students who are currently abroad on an IFSA-Butler program, check out the following:

Student Network
Student Blogs Experience Abroad Videos
For Students